In today’s market, there is no shortage of high-end, high profile show cars backed by reputable aftermarket manufacturers and suppliers displaying their wears or perhaps by unlikely corporations looking to reach out to a “younger” demographic.
Gleaming rides plastered with corporate logos, supporting sponsor icons, and anything else that will garner attention. And rightfully so, this is the nature of the business after all, and a demo car is perhaps the most fitting marketing vehicle, literally.
But once in awhile, a ride will come along with absolutely no corporate agenda yet still fitted with the optimal parts available, without compromise in quality and fuelled simply by the passion to build a true, properly tuned machine. Influenced only by the latest technology and the pursuit to push the limits. No input from car forums, no shows, no VP of Marketing breathing down anyone’s neck.
And while the 2009 was the last year for Honda’s 2-door coupe, there are talks about an S2000 roadster comeback for 2024.
Why modify the S2000 over the Germans?
When longtime auto enthusiasts John Aitken, a successful banker now in his 50’s, along with wife Cathy, were in the market for a ‘fun’ car—not a Ferrari like this modded 360 Modena, nothing German, but something they could build based on the fundamentals of tuning, they chose the Honda S2000.
Since the day Honda originally launched it back in 1999, the AP1 has received praise from motoring journalists, graced the covers of countless magazines, and has served as the platform of choice for large scale projects by companies and private tuners alike, so John and Cathy’s decision was an easy one.
Getting Started: Tuning-Out this Hardtop AP1
Clearly, the couple had never undertaken such a feat and probably had no idea what they were getting into. Rest assured, the keys were immediately handed to Tien Hoang of SpeedTech Racing & Development who managed the build from beginning to end.
Safe to say, for Tien this was a dream project: full custody of a brand new car with complete client assurance, a private endeavour with no commercial agenda nor timelines, a plethora of available parts coupled with grand schemes and sleepless giddy nights, majority of parts flown in to reduce agonizing waiting time, and best of all…essentially no budget. Really.
The project goals
The mandate for this build was primarily technology driven, an attempt to employ the finest parts available irrespective of brand favorites. Less emphasize on styling, for instance, and more to do with wind-tested aero components that would work best.
As Tien puts it, “ We didn’t go with any one manufacturer, we only went with what we felt are the best available parts for the job.” So while the parts list of this S2K smorgasbord of Japan goodies may read like a sushi menu, there’s definitely nothing fishy about the way this ride looks, handles, and performs.
First, upgrading the Honda S2000 engine & powertrain
The first order of business was power gain via a Comptech supercharger paired with an aftercooler. With several blowers on the market to choose from, Comptech has the street credibility and offers the best warranty, according to Tien. Major bolt-ons include Comptech headers and an HKS Hyper dual exhaust. The fuel system is all HKS equipped, including the fuel pressure regulator, and an fcon v-pro ECU controlling the 350cc injectors.
Spoon engine mounts and an Alex engine torque damper with heatshield keep the F20c engine from bouncing around. Cooling this beast down is a Spoon radiator and high pressure rad cap, along with Spoon radiator hoses, thermostat, and a thermo switch keeping things in check. A J’s Racing carbon cooling plate offers a wider cooling channel next to the Flex-a-Lite twin fans.
Pairing the tranny to the engine is a Clutch Master race clutch with lighten flywheel, along with a custom Kevlar propeller shaft carrying power to the J’s Racing 2-way limited-slip differential. A Rick’s final drive gear set with higher ratios also lays down power.
Major suspension & handling modifications
Overall, this AP1 had to be the best everyday road and track car, taking into account that John and Cathy would take it on weekend trips to the cabin, enduring long hours of winding, narrow roads through the Canadian Rockies. The handling and footwork needed to address this, so Tien chose a T1R B-max full coilover suspension, and Comptech front and rear swaybars with bushings to avoid any roll in those dangerous twisties.
Decreasing chassis flex is the Comptech tie rod end and cross brace bar, along with a Comptech upper front strut tower bar straightening things out. The roads up north can be unaccommodating, taking a toll on suspension, so the J’s Racing SPL pillowball front and rear anti-bumpsteer kits were a must. Other bolt-on apps includes a J’s Racing front and rear roll centre adjuster, a front and rear full subframe both painted red, and a custom 6-point race spec rollcage, to name a few.
New wheels, brakes, rotors and more
The wheels of choice are Volk Racing CE28N, 245/40/17 both front and rear, all wrapped in Yokohama Advan Neova rubber. “We originally had a set of OZ wheels but found the Volk’s were lighter and offered the best offset and fitment for the S2000” Tien says.
Stoppage assembly includes Brembo Gran Turismo 4-piston front calipers, Brembo 2-piece slotted oversize rotors, Hawks ceramic race pads front and rear, Motul brake oil running through Goodridge front and rear stainless steel brake lines, and custom front brake cooling vents.
We originally had a set of OZ wheels but found the Volk’s were lighter and offered the best offset and fitment for the S2000.
While the suspension and powertrain may be inspired by different sources, the exterior remained consistent with a JGTC flavour, sticking primarily to J’s Racing. This includes a complete Type-S aero carbon kit, dual carbon canards, an aggressive Type-V carbon fiber hood painted silver, a dry carbon fiber 3D GT wing, front vented fenders, full carbon doors, tow hooks and gold hood pins, rear overlay fenders, and a carbon trunk.
The sporadic splashes of black across this silver bullet lends a bit of style while retaining that in-your-face flair. Side carbon mirrors by APR and a sleek Mugen carbon hard top roof top things off.
S2000 modded interior
The interior was stripped of weight burden and retrofitted with the essentials including a couple Bride Racing Zeta-3 red bucket seats and Takata 4-point harness belts.
Of course, the usual gauge cluster including a series of four HKS gauges in the centre console, next to the Spoon titanium shift knob. Just above lies the Sparco 350mm red suede steering wheel with a Momo hub. Few other extras include custom belt brackets, an Alex Racing quick release, and a ZOM Kevlar mirror.
Takeaway: An S2000 AP1 built on its own terms
Let’s face it, nobody likes to be told what to do. Nobody really asks to follow schedules or abide by all the rules. But as long as Post-it Notes and PDAs exist, we’re bound to the playbook that sets our path, creating our own vicious cycle.
If you like this modded AP1, check out our other Super GT-inspired 2001 S2000 feature here.
Whether it’s family agendas, work agendas, even hidden agendas, whatever shape or form, for most of us the realm of true freedom is beyond reach. Fortunately, our hobbies and passions, the things we do for ourselves, have no strings attached. No obligatory motives. And that’s what makes a project like this S2000 so gratifying—the freedom to simply build a bad-ass whip, on one’s own terms.
Specs for this modded 2000 Honda S2000
Engine: Honda F20C Inline-4
Engine Modifications: Comptech Supercharger With Aftercooler, Hks Hyper Daul Exhaust, Comptech Headers, Mugen Oil Cap, Trust Custom Oilcooler, Hks 350cc Injectors, Ricks Speedo Correction Box, Alex Engine Torque Damper W/Heatshield, Hks Fuel Pressure Regulator, Spoon Engine Mounts, J’s Racing Catch Can, Spoon Reservoir Cover, Ngk Irudium Spark Plugs, Spoon Radiator, Hoses, Thermostat And Cap, Flex-A-Lite Twin Fans, J’s Racing Carbon Cooling Plate
Engine Management: Hks Fcon V-Pro Ecu
Drivetrain: Clutchmasters Race Clutch W/Lighten Flywheel, J’s Racing 2-Way Lsd, J’s Racing Drive Shaft Spacers, Ricks Final Drive Gear, Custom Kevlar Propeller Shaft
Suspension: T1r B-Max Full Coilover Suspension, Comptech Tie Rod Ends, Front And Rear Swaybars, Strut Tower Bar And Chassis Cross Brace Bar, J’s Racing Spl Pillowball Front And Rear Anti-Bumpsteer Kit, Roll Center Adjusters, Steering Ridge Sleeve Kit, Full Front And Rear Subframes, And Fender Braces, Custom 6pt Race Spec Rollcage
Wheels, Tires, Brakes: 17×9-Inch +35 (F) 17×9-Inch +40 (R) Volk Racing Ce28n, Yokohama Advan Neova Tires 245/40/17 Tires, Brembo Gran Turismo Big Brake Kit, Goodridge Stainless Steel Brake Lines, Motul Brake Oil, Custom Front Brake Cooling Vents
Exterior: J’s Racing Type S Aero Carbon Kit(Complete). Daul Carbon Canards, Type V Carbon Fiber Hood, Dry Carbon Fiber 3d Gt Wing, Carbon Doors, Front Vented Fenders, Rear Overlay Fenders, Carbon Trunk And Tow Hooks, Apr Carbon Racing Mirrors, Mugen Carbon Hard Top Roof
Interior: Bride Racing Zeta 3 Seats, Takata Harness Belts, Sparco 350mm Suede Steering Wheel, Alex Racing Quick Release, Momo Steering Wheel Hub, Spoon Titanium Shift Knob, Hks Boost, Egt, Oil Temp, Oil Pressure Gauges, And Air Fuel Meter Unit, Zom Kevlar Window Mirror
Thanks To: Speedtech Racing & Development, Tien Hoang, Compact Tuning Lab, Contemporary Motorsports, Amee Reehal, Rcts, Arlin And Chris
2000 Honda S2000 Pictures
Photos: Amee Reehal
